TORONTO – Police have arrested and charged a former teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board with more than a dozen charges related to alleged sexual assaults between 2008 and 2015.
Police arrested Toronto resident Donald Wheeler, 60, on Tuesday and he is now charged with 10 counts of Sexual Interference, two counts of Supplying Liquor to a Person Who Appears to be Under 19 Years and one count of Harassment by Repeated Communication With a Person.
Two students were allegedly assaulted by one of their teachers over the span of seven years, according to Toronto Police Const. Victor Kwong.
Kwong said the alleged assaults began when the victims were 12 years old and continued until they were 19 years old, during which time Wheeler worked at the Parkdale Junior and Senior Public School.
A TDSB spokesperson said Wheeler is a teacher at the school and is currently on home assignment. She added that none of the charges include current students and the school is offering social work support if needed.
Wheeler appeared in court Thursday and is scheduled to reappear on December 29.
According to police, Wheeler had access to many children and young persons while working at two different schools. The assaults took place during overnight trips or trips outside the school, said Kwong.
Police believe there may be more victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
With files from Mark McAllister
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